Infrastructure Commission and Construction Accord

“Public and private collaboration on the
Construction Sector Accord and bi-partisan support for the
establishment of the Infrastructure Commission will deliver
major benefits for infrastructure and construction outcomes
if cooperation can be sustained,” says Infrastructure New
Zealand CEO Stephen Selwood.

“The Construction Sector
Accord announced today aims to transform the way the
government and the construction industry work together and
that transformation can’t come soon
enough.

“Uncertainty, skills shortages, injuries and
contracting issues are making the construction sector a less
attractive, productive and effective part of the economy.
That’s bad for everyone, not least of all the Government
because of the direct role construction plays in delivering
public services.

“The Accord signals recognition that
clients have a major impact on the way the industry behaves.
What everyone wants is a healthy construction industry which
competes across itself to deliver value, rather than
competing with its clients.

“That the Accord has been
signed in the same week that legislation to establish the
New Zealand Infrastructure Commission, Te Waihanga (NZIC),
attracted support from all political parties is especially
pleasing.

“The NZIC will provide independent advice to
the Government on infrastructure strategy and provide
procurement support. It will develop a long awaited pipeline
of public works which will give the industry greater clarity
over future infrastructure programmes, priorities and
investments.

“This forward work programme is essential
to providing the market with the confidence to invest in the
skills, systems and equipment which are desperately required
to improve New Zealand’s construction
productivity.

“But it must have bi-partisan support to
succeed. New Zealand’s thee-year election cycle is too
short for any one Government to reshape infrastructure
policy.

“There needs to be broader understanding and
agreement over the long term opportunities and challenges so
that, even if projects change in the short term, we as a
country do not lose sight of the bigger picture.

“We
strongly commend the NZIC process to date which has enabled
all political leaders to work together. The priority now is
to sustain an open, transparent and collaborative process to
finalise legislation and establish a respected, capable and
independent infrastructure body,” Selwood says.

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